A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller's or the voice-mail subscriber's request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprising: storing the voice mail message in a first message store; receiving an identification of an attachment from a caller, the attachment associated with the voice mail message; storing the attachment in a second message store separate from the first message store.
A method allows a caller to leave a voice message and associate an attachment with it. The voice message is stored in one location (first message store), and the attachment is stored separately in another location (second message store). When someone listens to the voice message, they can also access the attached file.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the attachment is stored in response to the caller identifying the attachment.
The method for voice messaging with attachments, where a caller leaves a voice message and an attachment, and where the voice message is stored in one location (first message store), and the attachment is stored separately in another location (second message store), stores the attachment only after the caller specifically identifies and submits the attachment. The system doesn't automatically attach random files, but waits for the caller to initiate the attachment process.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second message store is located remote from the first message store.
The method for voice messaging with attachments, where a caller leaves a voice message and an attachment, and where the voice message is stored in one location (first message store), and the attachment is stored separately in another location (second message store), stores the attachment in a physically different location than the voice message. The voice message might be on one server, while the attachment is on a different server, possibly even in a different data center.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the caller identifies the attachment verbally.
The method for voice messaging with attachments, where a caller leaves a voice message and an attachment, and where the voice message is stored in one location (first message store), and the attachment is stored separately in another location (second message store), involves the caller verbally identifying the attachment. Instead of typing a file name or selecting from a list, the caller speaks the name or description of the file they want to attach.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the caller identifies a location of the attachment.
The method for voice messaging with attachments, where a caller leaves a voice message and an attachment, and where the voice message is stored in one location (first message store), and the attachment is stored separately in another location (second message store), involves the caller specifying where the attachment can be found (a location). This could be a URL, a file path, or another identifier that allows the system to retrieve the attachment.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the location of the attachment is identified by the caller verbally.
The method where a caller leaves a voice message and an attachment, where the voice message is stored in one location (first message store), the attachment is stored separately (second message store), and the caller specifies where the attachment can be found, involves the caller verbally communicating the location of the attachment. The caller speaks the URL or path to the file, rather than typing it in.
7. A system comprising: a first message store comprising a stored voice mail message from a caller; and a second message store separate from the first message store, the second message store comprising a stored attachment associated with the stored voice mail message.
A system handles voice messages with attachments. It includes a storage area for the voice message itself (first message store) and a separate storage area for the associated attachment (second message store). These two storage areas are distinct, allowing for different storage policies or locations for the voice and the file.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising: a called party receiver coupled to the first message store and the second message store.
The system for voice messaging with attachments, including a storage area for the voice message (first message store) and a separate storage area for the attachment (second message store), also has a component to receive calls (called party receiver) which is linked to both storage areas. This receiver handles the incoming call, records the voice message, and associates the provided attachment to the voice message in the two separate stores.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the called party receiver comprises a voice mail system.
The system including a receiver linked to both the voice message store and the attachment store, uses a voicemail system as the receiver. This means the voice mail system handles the incoming call, prompts the caller to leave a message and any attachments, and then manages the storage of both the voice message and the attachment in their respective locations.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the voice mail system stores a message prompting a caller to leave a voice mail message and a message prompting a caller to leave an attachment.
The system using a voicemail system as a receiver, includes prompts within the voicemail system to guide the caller through the process. The voicemail system plays a message asking the caller to leave a voice message, and also includes a separate prompt asking if the caller wants to add an attachment.
11. The system of claim 8 wherein the first message store is located in the called party receiver.
The system, with a receiver linked to both the voice message store and the attachment store, stores the voice messages within the receiver itself. The voice mail receiver contains the first message store.
12. The system of claim 8 wherein the second message store is located remote from the called party receiver.
The system for voice messaging with attachments, including a storage area for the voice message (first message store), a separate storage area for the attachment (second message store) and a receiver linked to both stores, stores the attachment remotely from the receiver. The receiver might be a local server, while the attachments are stored in a cloud storage service.
13. A system comprising: a first message store configured to store a voice mail message from a caller; a second message store separate from the first message store, the second message store configured to store an attachment associated with the voice mail message.
A system for voice messaging with attachments has one storage area for the voice message itself (first message store) and a separate storage area for any files attached to that message (second message store). The system is designed to keep these voice messages and attachments separate.
14. The system of claim 13 further comprising: a called party receiver coupled to the first message store and the second message store.
The system for voice messaging with attachments, that has separate voice and attachment storage, also includes a component that handles incoming calls (called party receiver) and connects it to both storage areas. This receiver is responsible for getting both the voice message and the attachment from the caller and placing it in the correct store.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the called party receiver comprises a voice mail system.
The system with separate voice and attachment storage, and a receiver linked to both, uses a voicemail system as the receiver component. This voicemail system handles the incoming calls, prompts users to leave messages and attachments, and manages the storage of each.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the voice mail system stores a message prompting a caller to leave a voice mail message and a message prompting a caller to leave an attachment.
The system using a voicemail system as a receiver includes pre-recorded messages within the voicemail system. These prompts specifically ask the caller to leave a voice message and also inquire if they want to attach a file to the message.
17. The system of claim 14 wherein the first message store is located in the called party receiver.
The system with separate voice and attachment storage, and a receiver linked to both, stores the voice messages within the receiver itself. The voicemail system also acts as the storage location for the voice messages.
18. The system of claim 14 wherein the second message store is located remote from the called party receiver.
The system for voice messaging with attachments, that has separate voice and attachment storage and a receiver linked to both, stores the attachments remotely from the receiver. The attachments might be located on a different server, or in a cloud storage service.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 23, 2011
July 23, 2013
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.